Credit By Examination

Credit By Examination Page Navigation

Students may challenge courses by taking examinations developed at CSU, Chico. Credit shall be awarded to those who pass them successfully.

Credit for Non-Collegiate Instruction

CSU, Chico grants up to 30 units of undergraduate degree credit for successful completion of non-collegiate instruction, either military or civilian, appropriate to the baccalaureate degree, which has been recommended by the Commission on Educational Credit and Credentials of the American Council on Education. The number of units allowed are those recommended in the Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Services and the National Guide to Educational Credit for Training Programs.

Credit for Prior Learning

CSU, Chico grants up to 30 units of credit for learning, knowledge, or skills-based experience that has been documented and evaluated according to campus policy. Please see the subsection "Course Credit Policies" in the Academic Policies and Regulations section of the catalog for complete information.

CSU, Chico grants credit toward its undergraduate degrees for successful completion of examinations of the Advanced Placement Program of the College Board. Students who present scores of three or better will be granted up to eight semester units of college credit. The number of units and how they meet specific academic content requirements are specified in the Advanced Placement Examinations Chart below.

As recommended by the California State University Chancellor’s Office, CSU, Chico grants credit toward its undergraduate degrees for successful completion of specific Higher Level International Baccalaureate examinations. Students who present scores of four or better will be granted up to six semester units of credit applied to the appropriate General Education requirements. Please consult the IB Chart for specific details.

CSU, Chico grants credit and/or fulfills requirements for certain CLEP Exams taken July 2001 or later as indicated in the chart below. For CLEP Exams taken prior to July 2001, please consult an Academic Evaluator at 530-898-5957.

There are some limits to the amount of credit that will be granted for results on external examinations. First, no more than 30 semester units of such credit may count towards degree requirements. Credit for Advanced Placement examinations is not included in this limit. Where credit has already been awarded at the equivalent or at a more advanced level, additional credit by examination shall not be awarded. Where partial overlap exists, credit in the amounts indicated above will be reduced accordingly.

Credit by examination is not considered residence credit for purposes of residency requirements for the bachelor's degree.

College Level Examination Programs (CLEP) Chart

CLEP Exam
(July 2001 Version)

Passing
Score

Credit
(semester units)

Meets this GE area
or course equivalent

Accounting, Principles of

50

3

ACCT 201 and 202*

American Government

50

3

Societal Institutions/U.S. Constitution**

American Literature

50

3

Humanities

Analyzing/Interpreting Literature

50

3

Humanities

Biology

50

3

Life Sciences (no lab)

Business Law, Intro

50

3

----

Calculus

50

3

Quantitative Reasoning

Chemistry

50

3

Physical Sciences (no lab)

College Algebra

50

3

Quantitative Reasoning

College Algebra/Trigonometry

50

3

Quantitative Reasoning

College Mathematics

50

3

Quantitative Reasoning

Educational Psychology, Intro

50

3

----

English Literature

50

3

Humanities

Financial Accounting

50

3

----

French, Level 1

50

6

Humanities

French, Level 2

59

12

Humanities

German, Level 1

50

6

Humanities

German, Level 2

60

12

Humanities

History, United States I

50

3

HIST 130/Societal Institutions

History, United States II

50

3

HIST 130/Societal Institutions

Human Growth and Development

50

3

Learning for Life

Humanities

50

3

Humanities

Info System/Computer Apps

50

3

----

Macroeconomics, Principles of

50

3

Societal Institutions

Management, Principles of

50

3

----

Marketing, Principles of

50

3

----

Microeconomics, Principles of

50

3

Individual & Society

Natural Sciences

50

3

Physical Sciences or Life Sciences (no lab)

Pre-Calculus

50

3

Quantitative Reasoning

Psychology, Intro

50

3

Individual & Society or Learning for Life

Social Sciences and History

50

3

----

Sociology, Intro

50

3

Societal Institutions

Spanish, Level 1

50

6

Humanities

Spanish, Level 2

63

12

Humanities

Trigonometry

50

3

Quantitative Reasoning

Western Civilization I

50

3

Societal Institutions or Humanities

Western Civilization II

50

3

Societal Institutions: HIST 110

*Fulfills content requirement only; elective units only.

**Does not meet California State and Local content requirement.

There are some limits to the amount of credit that will be granted for results on external examinations. First, no more than 30 semester units of such credit may count toward degree requirements. Credit for Advanced Placement examinations is not included in this limit. Where credit has already been awarded at the equivalent or at a more advanced level, additional credit shall not be awarded. Where partial overlap exists, credit in the amounts indicated above will be reduced accordingly.

Credit by examination is not considered residence credit for purposes of residency requirements for the bachelor's degree.

University Catalog
California State University, Chico
400 West First Street
Chico, CA 95929